Job: PT Peer Recovery Specialist with George Mason University – Prince William County

George Mason University is seeking a part-time peer recovery specialist to serve as a Peer Navigator for an exciting project in Prince William County!

Wage (Non-Student), $24/Hour * 29 Hours/Week * 50 Weeks renewable

The Empowered Communities Opioid Project is a regional collaborative that partners the Prince William Health Department, George Mason University, Mason and Partners Clinic, the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Community Services Boards, Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center, Prince William County Criminal Justice Services, and State Probation and Parole. This project will create a unique and innovative approach to addressing the opioid crisis by adding needed medical and social services components to care coordination for at-risk released inmates from the regional jail system.

Responsibilities:
– Peer coaching. Develop a one-on-one relationship with program participants who are early in their recovery journey. Encourage, motivate and support. Provide social support and informal counseling.
– Peer recovery resource connecting. Provide information on available resources for individuals with a history of opioid abuse.
– Building community. Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors and social networks. Conduct outreach that promotes, maintains, and improves individual and community health.
– Recovery group facilitation. Facilitate recovery-oriented group activities, including support groups and educational activities.
– Record keeping. Collect data to help identify community health and social needs and community gaps.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
– Ability to use your own lived experience with addiction and with accessing care.
– Ability to maintain professional boundaries but comfortable using your own recovery journey to help others connect to services.
– Ability to maintain confidentiality.
– Ability to enter notes timely into electronic health record.
– Knowledge of the basic process of recovery.

Qualifications:
– Completion of your own personal recovery plan.
– Special consideration will be given to peers who have a lived experience with opioid addiction.

Interested candidates should forward their resume and cover letter to Nancy Spencer at nspence@gmu.edu